Gravel

Oct 5-7, 2018

About

Join us for a two-day gravel-fest down roads less traveled. We’re setting up camp in Tillamook State Forest and giving riders a variety of heart-pumping, pedal-churning routes to choose from daily. Gravel riders will have the whole Cycle Oregon experience – tents, showers, route support, main stage, beer garden – only this time, we’re going to be a lot more up close and personal with nature. Feel the calm of the forest as you crank through the firs and ferns, spruce and salal. See the abandoned rails and trestles that will someday be the Salmonberry Trail, connecting the Valley to the Coast. Come out, test your grit and enjoy the challenges and rewards of this first-of-its-kind backwoods biking experience.

Only 30 miles from Portland, in Timber, OR – you can ride, or take light rail and then ride to the event. We’ll haul your gear! More details to come.

Different route options each day.

Quiet roads with very few cars.

A great opportunity to experience what gravel riding is all about.

The Ride

Route

Our routes this year will travel over exclusively gravel roads in the Tillamook State Forest with two days worth of great riding available with short, medium and long routes available each day. Riders will get the opportunity to see portions of the Pacific Railway/Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad that is slated for conversion into the Salmonberry Trail – which, when complete, will allow travel from the Western Portland suburbs all the way to the coast on a motor vehicle free multi-use trail. The working forest roads of Tillamook State Forest afford an opportunity to experience all that gravel riding has to offer: stunning vistas, challenging climbs, and low, low traffic on the roads. After the riding comes all the fun you can handle in camp with the amenities for which Cycle Oregon’s events are known.

Accommodations

You can camp in a tent, sleep in your RV or car, or arrange for other lodging.

Camping

The overnight site will have an area designated for camping. Don’t forget to bring your tent, ground cloth, sleeping bag and pad.

Sleep in Your Vehicle

If you’d like to bring your RV, camp trailer, or sleep in your non-RV vehicle, you must register your vehicle. The cost for parking any vehicle is $10. There will be no hookups available. RV is defined as anything that cannot fit into a standard parking space.

If you are considering renting an RV, please contact Tracey Kays at Johnson RV by emailing [email protected].

Getting There

Directions to the camp will be emailed to you in the Ride Guide in September. They will also be listed on the parking pass.

Overnight parking for Friday and Saturday nights is available for $10 (click here to get a pass). We will provide directions to the event in the Ride Guide (emailed in September) and on the parking pass (mailed in September). There will be signage pointing you to camping and parking. After parking, follow the signs to the rider packet pick-up area. You may want to check in and get acquainted before unpacking all your gear.

Ride Logistics

The idea is to have a relaxing, enjoyable weekend of riding. The key to that? Take care of as many details as possible before the ride. In this section you’ll find pretty much everything you need to know to make your Cycle Oregon experience a great one.

Showers

Hot showers and any other amenities you might need will be provided at the overnight site. Please remember to bring a towel and soap, as we do not provide towels or toiletries.

Friday: 5–11 p.m.
Saturday: 6 a.m.–11 p.m.
Sunday: 6 a.m.–5 p.m.

Bike Repair

The Bike Gallery’s team of bicycle technicians provides mechanical support on the course and at the overnight site. Technical support is available for emergency repairs of well-maintained equipment. It is your responsibility to make sure your bicycle is in good condition. Labor is available at a discount.

Rider Services

Look for the Rider Services trailer in a visible location near the entrance into camp. Here you can ask questions, meet friends, leave a note on the message board, or locate missing items at lost and found.

Cycle Oregon Gift Shop

The Cycle Oregon Gift Shop trailer is where you can buy extra meal tickets or shop for additional Cycle Oregon merchandise.

Medical Services

Medical services will be available on the course, and at the overnight site. There is no charge for medical services on the course or at the site. If you require transport to or from a local medical facility, you will be financially responsible for transport and medical services there.

Meals

Cycle Oregon will provide dinner at the overnight site on Friday and Saturday, and breakfast at the overnight site on Saturday and Sunday. Lunch will be served Saturday and Sunday. You can eat once you arrive back to camp or build a sandwich to take with you.

Meal times

Beer & Wine Garden

The Beer & Wine Garden will feature a variety of local beer and wine.

Beer Garden Hours

Friday: 3–10 p.m.
Saturday: 12–10 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Evening Announcements

Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., the Cycle Oregon community will gather around the Main Stage. This is a great opportunity to hear tips about the next day’s route and catch up on some local folklore. Best of all, it’s always followed by legendary Cycle Oregon entertainment.

Entertainment

Cycle Oregon showcases some of Oregon’s most talented performers, from country rockers to clog dancers, blues divas to jazz greats. Performances are scheduled for Friday and Saturday evenings on the Main Stage.

Cycle Oregon prides itself on providing a fully supported ride. Our goal is to help you finish each day’s ride. To that end, our course is complete with the following services and amenities.

Course Hours: 7 a.m.– 5 p.m. (Sunday 4 p.m.)

Course support services are available only during the course hours. If you start before the course opens or are still riding after the course closes, there will be no support services available. All Cycle Oregon riders still on the course after 5 p.m. (4 p.m. on Sunday) will be offered a ride to camp. If you choose not to take the ride you will be on your own to get back to camp.

Food and Drink on the Course

Lunch

Lunch is provided in camp each day. You will have the option to pack it and take it with you to eat on course, or eat back in camp.

Lunch hours are:

Lunch Pickup: 6:30 a.m.–9 a.m.
Lunch in camp: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Rest Stops

At least one, usually two, rest stops will be available along the route each day to provide water, beverages and nutritious, delicious snacks. Rest Stop signs alert riders when one is ahead. You can also see the location of each Rest Stop on the maps that will be inside the rider packet you receive when you check-in. Rest Stops are generally open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Water Stops

In addition to the Rest Stops, one or two water stops per day will provide water and restrooms.

SAG Vehicles

There will be multiple SAG vehicles on the course each day. They are available to transport cyclists in cases of mechanical problems or medical injuries. They also have extra water, snacks, and sunscreen if needed. If at any time you need assistance, please signal a SAG with a “thumbs down” signal. If you do get into a SAG, you may not be transported directly to camp. The SAG vehicles usually wait until they are full to go to camp.

Bike Mechanics

The Bike Gallery will have roving mechanics on bikes on the course and mechanics in camp. They will make basic repairs in order to get you to an overnight campsite. Cyclists will incur any charges associated with parts or extensive repairs.

Ambulance Service

MetroWest provides Advance Life Support ambulances that give around-the-clock medical support on the course and in camp. If you require medical attention on the course, you should notify a SAG, ambulance, or staff vehicle with the “thumbs down” signal.

Motorcycle Safety Patrol

Motorcycle safety patrol volunteers drive the Cycle Oregon course each day. They are a great source of information and assistance and enhance the overall safety of the ride by interacting with riders who may pose a hazard by unlawful or unsafe riding.

Packet pick-up will not be available at the office prior to Gravel. Do not pitch your tent prior to 3 pm on Friday.

When you check in, you will be asked to sign a waiver and then you will receive your packet, which includes a wristband, course maps and T-shirt. Bring a photo ID. You must show your photo ID to pick up your packet. Once we affix your wristband, it should not be removed unless you leave the ride. The wristband is what identifies you as a participant and gives you access to meals and course support.